Perceptions of a Changing World Induce Hope and Promote Peace in Intractable Conflicts

Cohen-Chen, Smadar; Crisp, Richard J.; Halperin, Eran

Abstract

The importance of hope in promoting conciliatory attitudes has been asserted in the field of conflict resolution. However, little is known about conditions inducing hope, especially in intractable conflicts, where reference to the outgroup may backfire. In the current research, five studies yielded convergent support for the hypothesis that hope for peace stems from a general perception of the world as changing. In Study 1, coders observed associations between belief in a changing world, hope regarding peace, and support for concessions. Study 2 revealed the hypothesized relations using self-reported measures. Studies 3 and 4 established causality by instilling a perception of the world as changing (vs. unchanging) using narrative and drawing manipulations. Study 5 compared the changing world message with a control condition during conflict escalation. Across studies, although the specific context was not referred to, the belief in a changing world increased support for concessions through hope for peace.

Citation

Cohen-Chen, S., Crisp, R. J., & Halperin, E. (2015). Perceptions of a Changing World Induce Hope and Promote Peace in Intractable Conflicts. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41(4), 498-512. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215573210

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 8, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Feb 24, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Aug 23, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 5, 2017
• Journal: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
• Print ISSN: 0146-1672
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7433
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 498-512
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215573210
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1351380